The Presbyterians and Baptists were the first denominations of Christians to occupy the present territory of Princeton Presbytery. They were soon followed by the Methodist. the Presbyterians preceded the Baptists by a few years. The first Baptist church organized in Crittenden or Livingston counties was the Old Salem church, organized in 1805. The first Presbyterian church was organized at old Centerville in 1797, eight years earlier.

In the closing years of the eighteenth century and the early part of the nineteenth century the Presbyterians made a great crusade against sin throughout Western Kentucky. Revivals were held resulting in many conversions; so great was the harvest that the reapers were found to be too few. The urgent appeal for ministerial aid led Cumberland Presbytery, which was in the midst of this revival, to set aside that part of their rules which required candidates for the ministry to pursue a classical course of study before they were eligible to ordination, and the emergency was met by ordaining men of marked ability and sending them forth to engage in the great religious conquest now sweeping from the Appalachian mountains to the Mississippi river. This step, together with an opposition to the revival manifested by some Presbyterian preachers, and a decided reaction against the doctrine of fatalism, led to the organization of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1810.

Doubtless the first Presbyterian preacher in Kentucky was the Rev. David Rice. Tippecanoe Joe Davis, after whom Daviess county was named, was an historic personage in Kentucky. He was the most celebrated lawyer of the early history of this State. So famous was he that he was employed in the prosecution of Aaron Burr, in the historic case of his conspiracy against the United States. Daviess's father went back to his primitive home in Virginia after a preacher, and brought the Rev. Mr. Rice to Kentucky. Soon afterward the Rev. Thomas B. Craighead and the Rev. Mr. Balch entered this territory. In 1796 the Rev. James McGready came from North Carolina and began to preach in the Green River country. He was the originator and one of the promoters of the great revival of 1800 in which the Cumberland Presbyterian Church had its origin.

In 1797 the Rev. Terah Templin, the first Presbyterian preacher in Western Kentucky, organized a church on Livingston Creek at a place known to the early settlers as old Centerville, at that time the county seat of Livingston county. This doubtless was the first Presbyterian church in Western Kentucky.

Rev. James McGready, the pioneer Presbyterian revivalist, afterward preached at this church. One Mr. Leeper was one of the most prominent members and an elder in Centerville church. His daughters furnished wives for two or three Cumberland preachers. One of them married Hiram McDaniel. She professed religion and joined the church at Centerville. He seems to have been a seeker for a number of years and to have professed at a camp-meeting at Bethlehem, Caldwell county, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterians. He afterward became a noted preacher.

Six years later Bethany church commonly called the "Old Log Church," was organized on Crooked Creek, one and a half miles north of Marion. This church was organized by the Rev. Wm. Dickey, who preached in what is now Crittenden county for fifteen years. This also was a Presbyterian church.

This churches were attended for a great distance. Venerable old pioneers, with their children and grandchildren, would frequently walk five or six miles to hear preaching, and stronger men and women would walk ten or even fifteen miles in inclement weather to hear the gospel.

The Rev. James McGready had just begun preaching in Logan county, and the result of his work was a wide-spread religious interest throughout the State. The first camp-meeting in Christendom was held by him in 1797, and originated from the necessity, on the part of many, of traveling days to hear preaching. Camp-meetings soon grew into general favor, the old staid methods of conducting religious meetings being lost sight of for a time. It will suffice to say that this great revival gave rise to grave differences, and resulted in the formation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which Samuel McAdow, Samuel King and Finis Ewing were the founders.

In 1807 John Travis, an elder in Bethany church, was censured for attending services among the "dissenting Cumberland brethren," the matter terminating in his withdrawing from the church. the new organization was not completed until 1810, but for some time previously camp-meetings were held by the "Cumberlands" throughout this section. One of their preaching places was at the residence of John Wheeler, the great grandfather of James A. Wheeler, who for years was an elder in Piney Fork church.

John Wheeler seems to have become identified with the revival from the very first, and his house was a regular preaching place for the early revival ministers. In Milton Bird's Life of Chapman, he states that John Wheeler was present at the first meeting of Cumberland Presbytery after the organization of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This Presbytery met at the Ridge church in Tennessee, March 20, 1810.

In the early part of May, 1810, a camp-meeting was held near Salem by Revs. Finis Ewing, Alexander Chapman and William Harris. It was held one mile beyond Salem at the place where the Smithland and Golconda roads separate, at what is now known as the Lindley place. At this meeting fourteen persons residing on or near the Piney Fork of Tradewater river, and who had come from sixteen to twenty miles to attend the camp-meeting agreed to form an organization in connection with the new denomination. The leader in this movement was John Travis, above mentioned.

The following is a list of the original members: John Travis, Rebecca Travis, James Travis, Rachel Travis, John Wheeler, Susan Wheeler, James Clinton, Ann Clinton, Rev. Wm. Henry, Mary Ann Henry, Mrs. McGough, Mrs. Zachariah Bivens and Mrs. Wm. Leach.

In the fall of 1811 Alexander Chapman held another meeting at Salem. In a letter to Rev. Wm. Harris he says: "Christians were happy and eight sinners professed religion. People were there from Henderson and from above the mouth of Green River, both over one hundred miles from Salem. It is strange that people will come so far to meeting."

For a year or two this small society met for occasional preaching at the residence of Mr. John Wheeler, who lived four miles Southeast of Marion, opposite the place where Rev. Frank Paris now lives. In 1812 the organization was completed by Rev. Finis Ewing at a school house in the neighborhood of Mr. Wheeler's home. Being situated between the forks of Piney Creek, it was called the Piney Fork church.

Mr. Wheeler's continued to be a preaching place for some time after Piney Fork was organized. Dr. Beard, in his Biographical Sketches speaks of a meeting at Mr. Wheeler's by Finis Ewing, Ephraim McLean, Thos. Calhoun and James B. Porter. After the meeting closed at Mr. Wheeler's, he says that Porter and Calhoun went on to Piney Fork and preached for two or three days.

In May of this year was held the first of the annual camp-meetings which have made this church so famous. The services were held under an arbor on the beautiful knoll now occupied by the camp-ground, and the people who attended the meeting lodged "in camps" or rude huts, hastily constructed of round poles, with clap-board roofs. The ministers present were Messrs. Finis Ewing, Alexander Chapman and Wm. Harris.

Chapman and Harris were great co-laborers. Bird, in his life of Chapman says: "They would often embrace each other in their arms, praising God, with tears streaming from the eyes of both, saying that they could never feel that anything was a burden, or any suffering too great for them to bear, so long as God would bless their labors and make them instrumental in his hands in building up his kingdom on earth.

During the same year John Travis donated a tract of land to the church, containing about thirteen acres. Afterward Geo. Green donated three acres. A log church house was at once erected upon it, situated in what is now the cemetery, about one hundred years from the western boundary of the cemetery. The eastern part of the lot was laid out for a burial ground, but it has gradually encroached upon the old camp-ground until now it occupies the central and western portions of the lot. The cemetery covers the ground occupied by the first church house and extends to the site of the second house of worship about one hundred yards west of the first.

A second log church was built in 1843. The present brick building now occupied by the congregation, was erected in 1867, at a cost of $3000. The brick was burned on the ground and the building erected by L. M. Hill and W. C. Turk. The following were the building committee: Jas. Ordway, L. M. Hill, T. M. Butler and W. B. Crider. Two large sheds have been built; the present one is 60x80 feet, and has a seating capacity of about 2000.

When first organized this church really belonged to no presbytery, as the first synod did not meet until 1813, when the church was divided into three presbyteries. In this division Piney Fork was included in the territory of Logan Presbytery, and remained in that presbytery from 1813 to 1822. At this last date Anderson Presbytery was organized and Piney Fork was included in the territory of the newly organized presbytery. As far as can be ascertained Piney Fork church was never represented in Logan Presbytery. In fact, the first time the records show that this church was represented was by James Wheeler when Anderson Presbytery met at New Liberty church, Muhlenburg county, Ky., Oct. 14, 1823. He again represented this church in Anderson Presbytery when it met at Morganfield, Ky., April 4, 1826. James Travis represented this church in the next meeting of Anderson Presbytery, which convened at Bethlehem, Oct. 2, 1826. Two years later James Dossen represented Piney Fork church in Anderson Presbytery, which met again at Bethlehem, Sept. 9, 1828. James Dossen was one of the most consecrated members of the early Piney Fork church. He lived at the place occupied by John J. Alexander for several years. he was always at prayer-meeting and was faithful in all the services of the church.

The first presbytery ever held at Piney Fork church was the meeting of Anderson Presbytery, which met April 7, 1829. The opening sermon was preached by the Rev. Aaron Shelby. He lived on Piney Creek at a great distance from Piney Fork. This was after the organization of Princeton Presbytery, but, inasmuch as Anderson Presbytery had selected Piney Fork as its place of meeting prior to the organization of Princeton Presbytery, this meeting was held within the bounds of Princeton Presbytery.

At the meeting of the Cumberland Synod at Franklin, Ky., Oct. 1828, Princeton Presbytery was chartered with the following preachers: Rev. F. R. Cossitt, President of Princeton College [Cumberland College in Princeton, Kentucky], and Revs. David Lowry, John W. Ogden and Dr. James Johnson. It held its first meeting at Cumberland College Nov. 29, 1828. Rev. F. R. Cossitt was the first moderator.

The next presbytery held at Piney Fork was the meeting of Princeton Presbytery in 1840. The business of the presbytery was transacted at the residence of uncle George Green, and the services of public worship were held at the camp ground.

Another presbytery was held at Piney Fork in the fist old church. Rev. W. C. Love was moderator and Rev. Grooms was present, but, owing to destruction by fire of the minutes of both Princeton Presbytery and Piney Fork church, the gleanings of facts and dates of this period are very meager.

Princeton Presbytery met with Piney Fork church October 11, 1851. The opening sermon was preached by the Rev. Azel Freeman from Isa. 61:11. The Rev. George B. [sic: D.] McLean was moderator and Azell Freeman Stated Clerk. A missionary society was organized at this presbytery which did much in establishing churches and advancing the work within the bounds of this presbytery.

The next presbytery held at Piney Fork was March 30, 1866. The opening sermon was preached the the Rev. Milton Bird from 2 Cor. 10:4.

In 1868, April 3, presbytery held its meeting at Piney Fork. The Rev. J. R. Templeman preached the opening sermon from Rev. 1:12-16.

Three years and a half later, Oct. 1, 1871, Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork. The opening sermon was preached by the Rev. W. C. Love from Jer. 22:28. As we see from the above, Piney Fork was a popular place for the meeting of the presbytery, three sessions having been held there within five years.

In Oct. 1884 presbytery held its fall session at Piney Fork. The Rev. B. T. Watson preached the opening sermon from Jer. 21:15.

The last session of Princeton Presbytery held at this church was in the fall of 1892. The opening sermon was preached by the Rev. M. E. Chappell from Rom. 8:15. A summary of the Distinctive Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbytery church was reported and published with the minutes of presbytery. Crayneville, composed largely of members of Piney Fork church, was organized at this presbytery.

The pastors of this historic church have been pre-eminently self-made men, as they were nearly all, in early life, without the advantages of a liberal education or any large degree of social culture. They have been chiefly poor men, obliged to assist in supporting themselves in their early ministry by their daily secular labors.

Rev. Finis Ewing was the first pastor of Piney Fork church. He was one of the original members of the first presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and was one of the three ministers that organized the C. P. Church. He preached throughout Southern Kentucky for many years. Several of his sons became eminent men.

Prior to 1837 the following ministers served this church as pastor: John and Wm. Barnett, James Johnson and Hiram McDaniel.

In their time possibly no three men in the church attracted more attention than John, William and James Barnett, of of whom preached at Piney Fork, and the two first were pastors of that church. The Rev. John Barnett was pastor of Piney Fork church for a number of years, and was at the same time pastor of Bethlehem church in Caldwell county. He took an active part in the organization of the old Cumberland College at Princeton, Ky. The Rev. James Johnson settled at old Centerville in 1803, and was sheriff of Livingston county for six years. He studied medicine and was an army surgeon in the war of 1812. He became a prominent minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, preached at Piney Fork, and may have served it as pastor.

The Rev. Hiram McDaniel was one of the prominent ministers of the C. P. Church. Prior to 1837 for a short time he was a teacher in old Cumberland College at Princeton, Ky. During this time he was pastor at Piney Fork and frequently walked from Princeton to that church, a distance of twenty-five miles, to fill his appointment. The late Mrs. McDaniel, of Hopkinsville, was the widow of his son.

The Rev. William Calhoun Love was one of the most noted pastors of this church. He was born 1798 and died 1872. His father was murdered by the Harps in Hopkins county in 1799. His mother was a cousin of the Hon. John C. Calhoun. Mr. Love was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was pastor of Piney Fork Church from 1837 to 1844; again from 1850 to 1856. Dr. Hale and Dr. Wilson were pastors from 1845 to 1849. The last sermon Dr. Wilson ever preached was the day Dr. Hale was buried.

The Rev. W. C. Love was pastor, as remarked above, from 1850 to 1856.

The Rev. Thomas Wiles was pastor in 1856 and 1857.

The Rev. Presley H. Crider, son of Wm. Crider and husband of Mrs. Sarah Crider, of Marion, Ky., was pastor of this church for three years from 1858 to 1860 inclusive.

The Rev. M. A. Marlow was pastor from 1861 to 1863.

The Rev. W. C. McGehee was pastor from 1865 to 1868.

The Rev. R. W. Hooker was pastor in 1869 and 1870.

The Rev. W. C. McGehee again became pastor for three years from 1871 to 1873.

The Rev. J. L. Hughey, now of Norris City, Ill., was pastor from 1873 to 1879. The Rev. W. W. Wynns was pastor for three years from 1880 to 1883,.

The Rev. James F. Price became pastor in Oct. 1883 and served this church until 1890.

The Rev. B. T. Watson was pastor during the years 1890, 1891, 1892.

The Rev. James F. Price became pastor again in 1893 and served them that and the succeeding year.

The Rev. S. M. Griffin was pastor in 1895 and the Rev. J. M. Hayden in 1896.

The Rev. G. L. Woodruff became pastor of this church in 1897 and served it faithfully for eight years.

The Rev. J. R. King is the present pastor.

Thus we see that this church has had at least twenty-one pastors. Those serving the longest terms were John Barnett, W. C. Love, W. C. McGehee, J. L. Hughey, J. F. Price and G. L. Woodruff.

The camp-meetings, begun in 1812, have been continued until the present time. With two exceptions, camp-meetings have been held every year; one during the Civil War; the cause of the other is unknown to the writer. It is reasonable to presume that more annual camp-meetings have been held on Piney Fork hill than any other place in the world, those meetings having commenced at this place soon after their origin and continued almost successively down to the present time. Thousands have been converted on this sacred hill, and the shouts of the redeemed have seemed to make the dome of heaven ring. We have no records of many of the earliest meetings, but it was not uncommon for them to have one hundred professions of faith at a meeting. In 1865 an excellent meeting was held. There were 40 professions this year. Who assisted in this meeting is unknown. Possibly Rev. Thos. Young.

In 1883 Rev. Geo. W. Hughey of the M. E. Church did the preaching. In 1884 the Rev. W. W. Wynns did the preaching, The Rev. J. T. Barbee helped in the meeting of 1886. This was a great meeting. There were seventy-five professions and fifty-six united with the church.

The Rev. J. T. Barbee assisted in the meetings of '87 and '89. In 1890 there were twenty-five accessions. The Rev. Mrs. Woosley held the meeting this year. In 1891 the rev. J. S. Kittrell, of Gordonsville, Tenn., assisted in the meeting. There were seventeen accessions that year.

In 1893 Revs. J. H. Hughey and J. T. Barbee assisted in the meeting.

In 1894 Rev. T. S. Love, of Marshall, Mo., did the preaching.

In 1899 Revs. J. T. Barbee and W. T. Oakley did the preaching.

In 1900 Rev. Joe McLesky assisted in the meeting.

Rev. J. P. Halsell did the preaching for the camp-meeting in 1901.

Rev. Timmons of the M. E. Church did the preaching in 1902.

Nearly all of the most noted ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in the first fifty years of its history, attended these camp-meetings and preached with great power. Dr. Richard Beard, Hiram A. Hunter, S. G. Burney, D.D., and Milton Bird, D.D., and nearly all of the professors of Cumberland College have preached at Piney Fork. We know that Finis Ewing preached here, and possibly Samuel King. He made a trip through Illinois and Kentucky preaching to various churches and ended this tour at Princeton, Ky., at the General Assembly. It is probable that he preached at Piney Fork on this tour. If so, two of the founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church preached at this historic camp-ground. Many of these pioneer preachers were endowed with excellent voices. It was said that McGready had a deep and awe-inspiring voice, like the roll of distant thunder. Ewing, Samuel King, Calhoun, Baker, Johnson, Silas Davis, and Bryan had very strong voices. It was said that Robert Donnell's voice was like a trumpet. The Barnetts were large men and had thunder-like voices. The writer has heard his mother, Theressa B. Price, say that she had often heard John and Wm. Barnett preaching from Piney Fork to her father's house, a distance of three miles.

At the earliest camp-meetings occurred many cases of the remarkable phenomena so general during the great revival of 1800, and widely known as the "jerks" or jerking exercises. These bodily agitations were very violent, and wholly involuntary. No sex, nor age, nor state of culture, or standing in the church were exempt from them. A staid old minister of the Presbyterian church once took the "jerks" sitting in the pulpit, and, in his violent agitations, his wig flew from his head and fell in the midst of the congregation. The head would be thrown backward and then brought so suddenly that the long hair of the women, when loosened by these agitations, would pop like a whip cracker. Some fell as if dead; some were seized with spasms or convulsions explained above, and were thrown backward and forward in a way frightful to behold, yet it was perfectly useless to try to prevent these physical exercises. Some were impelled to run with great swiftness. Others, even persons of high rank and polite manners, found themselves involuntarily wallowing in the straw, mimicking animals, or performing various freaks that seemed irrational and absurd. Many, in these conditions, would have visions and trances. Sometimes they would lie for hours in a state of apparently suspended animation; and yet, after coming out of this state, they would speak of their minds having been uncommonly active and that visions of beauty and glory passed in review before them. As late as 1875 the writer saw dear old Irvine Brouster have a case of the "jerks," and he was witnessed a number of cases of trances.

The singing at these old time camp-meetings was spiritual and powerful. They sang the old standard hymns, such as "Amazing Grace," "How Firm a Foundation," "Did Christ O'er Sinners Weep," :Jesus Lover of My Soul," "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood," "Am I a Soldier of the Cross," "Oh, When Shall I See Jesus," "Come thou Fount of Every Blessing." Etc. They also sang many of the old choruses with great power; such as "A Great Camp-Meeting Over Yonder," "There is Rest for the Weary," "Oh, Fathers Will You Meet Me?" "Oh, You Must be a Lover of the Lord," "I Want to Die a Shouting," and many others. After the camp-meeting had closed, so continuous and powerful was the singing, that the songs would seem to ring in one's ears for a week. While some would go to the camps and retire at night, others would be singing over the "mourners," as they were called, till late in the night or the early morning hours.

Another peculiar feature of these camp-meetings was the powerful conviction of sinners. Strong men and full-grown women would fall prostrate in the straw and weep and cry for mercy. Many times you could hear the cries of the penitents all over the camp-ground. Their piteous wails would touch the hearts of any one that had a spark of Christianity and enlist such an one's prayers.

Camp-meetings usually lasted only five or six days; but the services were intensive. Every morning before breakfast they would have prayers at the camps. As soon as breakfast was over and the dishes washed, they retired to the secret grove for prayer, the men going in one direction and the women in another. The pastor, like a commanding officer, would pass around to see that every one who could leave the camps was gone to the secret grove. If he found careless groups of Christians in idle conversation, he would direct them at once to the secret grove and his orders were usually obeyed.

At nine o'clock they would assemble at the shed for prayer meeting, where ringing songs and earnest prayers filled the hour. In later days they usually had an altar service during the prayer meeting. In earlier days they would begin the preaching about 10 o'clock and have two sermons, followed by an altar service. At three o'clock they would again have preaching and an altar service. About an "hour by sun" they would all again retire to the grove for secret prayers, but these prayers often became audible, and the groves around the camp-ground would become vocal with earnest prayers, the cries of penitents, the good old songs, and the shouting and rejoicing of Christians. The writer remembers well the strange feelings that would come over one coming into the bounds of the camp-ground about dusk and hear fifty or one hundred voices mingled in these various exercises.

The devil also tried to carry on his work. Young men would come from various parts of the country to have a "good time." They would not go to the camps to sleep, but, after others had retired, would go to the shed, which was covered well with straw. They did not seem to go there to sleep, but to have a bedlam. They would squeal like pigs, or quack like ducks, or gobble like turkeys, or crow like chickens, or all of these sounds intermingled, until some of the elderly men, the "committee on order," or "regulators," as they were sometimes called, would go up and "settle" the young men.

On Monday morning they usually had their "experience meeting." As Christians young and old would relate their trials and victories in the Christian life, every eye would be moistened with tears and every heart drawn nearer to God.

When the brethren would "break camp" on the last day of the meeting, with their wagons packed with beds and utensils, they had brought with them for the meeting, they would assemble at the shed for the "camp-holders service," while the loaded wagons would stand in a circle around the old shed. The parting words would be said, the parting tears be shed, the last hearty hand-shake be given, and then the teams drawing the families would wend their way in different directions toward their various homes.

Two prosperous congregations have grown out of the church at Piney Fork. When the country was sparsely settled and preaching was hard to obtain, people for six or eight miles around belonged to Piney Fork. As the country became more thickly settled and preachers became more numerous, communities began to think of organizing churches within their own bounds. Thus Sugar Grove was organized in 1844. Its growth has been marvelous, being now the second strongest church in the presbytery in membership, and one of the most powerful evangelical churches within our bounds. It possibly has had more professions of faith than any other church in the presbytery outside of Piney Fork and Bethlehem, which are both much older than Sugar Grove.

After the Ohio Valley Railroad was completed through Crittenden county, and Crayneville began to grow as a village, it being so easy of access from every side, the organization of a church was proposed. Quite a number of the most regularly attending members of Piney Fork church lived in this vicinity and had to travel five or six miles over rough and rocky roads to get to their services. Consequently, in 1892, Crayneville church was organized.The members have built a commodious church house, held a number of excellent meetings, and have done much good for the community as well as for the denomination of their choice.

Quite a number of noted ministers, who have filled important stations in many States in the Union, sprang from this noted church. Among them are the Rev. George W. Hughey, presiding elder of the M. E. church, who has filled positions of importance in St. Louis, Mo., and in various parts of Illinois; Rev. J. H. Hughey and J. L. Hughey, who have been the pastors of some of our most important churches in Indiana and Illinois; the late Rev. T. S. Love, who was pastor of some of our most noted churches in Missouri; the Rev. Presley H. Crider, who served as pastor of some of our prominent churches in Iowa and other States. The Rev. J. T. Rushing, now a presiding elder of the M. E. Church South was once a member of Piney Fork, as well as Mack Green of the Baptist church.

From 1886 to 1892 was a period of great prosperity. In 1886 the great revival wave swept over this section. There were about 150 conversions within the bounds of this congregation during this year, and over 100 accessions to the church. Piney Fork kept up regular preaching during this period at the camp-ground, at Lily Dale, and at Pleasant Hill. They had services twice a month during most of the time. The large "shed" or tabernacle was erected during this period, surrounded by its double row of sugar trees, which now furnish a dense shade. The well was located and dug by Jasper Turley, which has added so much in supplying water for the camp-ground. Several new camps were built and the grounds were beautified. During this period the church doubled its membership, numbering at its most prosperous stage about 340 members. Thirty or forty members took the church paper. Nearly all the families held family prayer. One unique feature about their family devotions was that, in most of these families, every member of the family, who was a Christian, would "take his turn." The father, the mother, and each child in rotation would conduct these household services. Not less than 75 members of the church would pray in public. A society of Christian workers was organized during this period under the pastoral supervision of the Rev. James F. Price. The object of this society was to encourage the members of the church to study the Bible, to lead a life of earnest prayer and consecration, to support missions, to attend church, to cultivate the habit of religions conversation, and, above all, to assign to each member some definite work for each month. Under this system every member of the church would be conversed with upon the subject of religion each month, in which they would be questioned about their religious experience, progress and difficulties. Under the influence of these "heart of heart talks," probing to the deepest recesses of the spiritual nature, the church made wonderful progress on the devotional side and the tide of spirituality ran high.

Piney Fork is a name sacred to Cumberland Presbyterians, indeed, I might say, sacred to all Christians who have visited these annual meetings and have seen the power of God so marvelously displayed. Thousands claim this as their spiritual birth-place. It is sacred because of the fathers of the church who have preached here. It is sacred because of the hallowed associations of the past. Piney Fork church membership is much depleted by the organization of other churches from their ranks and by an excessive emigration to the "far West." But noble men and women still stand by it and we hope it may live long to bless the world with the precious gospel of the kingdom of God.
[Source: Minutes of the Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 3-5, 1905, pages 16-27]

Of the churches planted by the revival party before the division, there are several still in existence as Cumberland Presbyterian congregations. Among these are Smyrna, Goshen, and Big Spring in Tennessee, and Piney in Kentucky. There are several others, in Alabama, and in other places but I can mention only a few prominent churches of this class.
[Source: McDonnold, B.W. History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Nashville, Tenn.: Board of Publication of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888.

1810
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - Samuel Smith, from Sandy Creek, Piney Fork, and Hopewell
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 23-25, 1810]

1812
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - Samuel Smith, from Sandy Creek, Piney Fork, and Hopewell (Caldwell county)
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 7-9, 1812]

1813
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - John Wheeler, representatives from Piney Fork and Hopewell
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 6-9, 1813]

1815

August 11, 1815 - Logan Presbytery

Intermediate Presbytery - Piney - Livingston County, Kentucky
[Source: typescript of Minutes of Logan Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 11, 1815, pages 16-17]

1829
1829 April 7 - Anderson Presbytery

Piney Fork Church - Piney Fork, Livingston County, Kentucky [this is now in Crittenden County]

This was after the organization of Princeton Presbytery, but, inasmuch as Anderson Presbytery had selected Piney Fork as its place of meeting prior to the organization of Princeton Presbytery, this meeting was held within the bounds of Princeton Presbytery.

[source: "The Mt. Ephriam Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Session Minutes," by George B. Simpson, page 2]
[source: History of Rose Creek Church, page III of the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, April 1906]
[source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 20]

1840
1840 - Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church

[Source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 21]

1851
1851 October 11 - Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church

[Source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 21]

1866
1866 March 30 - Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church
[Source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 21]

1868
1868 April 3 - Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church

[Source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 21]

1871
1871 October 1 - Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church

[Source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 21]

1884
1884 October - Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church

[Source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 21]

1888
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - A. D. Crider
Presbyterial Directory
(Below we give the Congregations, the Counties, the Clerks, and their P. O. addresses.]
Piney Fork, Crittenden Co., H. P. Jacobs, Craynesville, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 4-6, 1888, pages 4 & 22]

1889
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - M. C. Caslin
Presbyterial Directory
(Below we give the Congregations, the Counties, the Clerks, and their P. O. addresses.]
Piney Fork, Crittenden Co., H. P. Jacobs, Craynesville, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 4-6, 1889, pages 1 & 24]

1890
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - W. P. Crider
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 3-5, 1890]

1890
Name of the Congregation: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: H. P. Jacobs, Crayneville, Ky.
Pastor: J. F. Price
Total Membership: 240
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 188]

1890
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. G. Crider
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 2-5, 1890]

1891
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. M. McCaslin
Directory
Session Clerks
Piney Fork, H. P. Jacobs, Craynesville, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 31-April 2, pages 4 & 23]

1891
Name of the Congregation: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: H. P. Jacobs, Crayneville, Ky.
Pastor: B. T. Watson
Total Membership: 290
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, page 202]

1891
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - D. W. Deboe
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 29-October 1, 1891, page 4]

1892
Name of the Congregation: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: H. P. Jacobs, Crayneville, Ky.
Pastor: B. T. Watson
Total Membership: 240
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, page 212]

1892
1892 Fall - Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church

[Source: "History of Piney Fork Church" included in the Minutes of Princeton Presbytery, October 3-5, 1905, page 21]

1893
Name of the Congregation: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: F. H. Phillips, Marion, Ky.
Pastor: B. T. Watson
Total Membership: 235
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1893, page 214]

1894
Name of the Congregation: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office:: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Pastor: J. F. Price
Total Membership: 235
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, page 226]

1895
Name of the Congregation: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office:: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Pastor: J. F. Price
Total Membership: 200
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1895, page 234]

1896
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - W. B. Crider
Directory
Session Clerks
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 7-9, 1896, pages 4 & 21]

1896
Name of Congregation: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office:: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Pastor: S. M. Griffin
No. Communicants: 105
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1896, page 214]

1896
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - A. D. Crider
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 6-8, 1896, page 4]

1897
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. T. Wilson
Directory
Session Clerks
Piney Fork - W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 6-8, 1897, pages 4 & 23]

1897
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: Wilson, W. F., Marion, Ky.
Minister: Hayden, J. M.
No. Communicants: 124
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1897, page 180]

1897
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. G. Crider
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 5-7, 1897, page 4]

1898
Elder Representative from Piney Fork, Crittenden Co., A. D. Crider
Presbyterial Directory
Congregations, Counties, Clerks' Addresses
Piney Fork, Crittend'n, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 5-7, 1898, pages 4 & 30]

1898
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister: G. L. Woodruff
No. Communicants: 128
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1898, page 200]

1898
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - H. S. Wheeler
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 4-6, 1898, page 4]

1899
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister: G. L. Woodruff
No. Communicants: 135
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1899, page 96a]

1900
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. T. Wilson
Presbyterial Directory
Congregations and Clerk's Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 3-5, 1900, pages 3 & 28]

1900
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister: G. L. Woodruff
No. Communicants: 132
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1900, page 115a]

1900
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - H. S. Wheeler
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 9-11, 1900, page 3]

1901
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - A. T. Crider
Presbyterial Directory
Congregations and Clerk's Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 9-11, 1901, pages 3 & 21]

1901
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister In Charge: G. L. Woodruff
Total No. of Members: 138
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1901, page 142a]

1901
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - A. D. Crider
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 8-10, 1901, page 3]

1902
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - H. S. Wheeler
Presbyterial Directory
Congregations and Clerk's Address
Piney Fork,W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 8-10, 1902, pages 3 & 22]

1902
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister In Charge: G. L. Woodruff
Total No. of Members: 135
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1902, page 132a]

1902
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - H. S. Wheeler
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 12, 1902, page 15]

1902
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. T. Wilson
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 7-9, 1902, page 3]

1903
Congregation not represented: Piney Fork
Presbyterial Directory
Congregations and Clerks' Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Starr, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 7-9, 1903, pages 4 & 23]

1903
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: W. F. Wilson, Starr, Ky.
Minister Now In Charge: G. L. Woodruff
Total Number of Members: 131
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1903, page 117a]

1903
Congregation not represented: Piney Fork
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 6-8, page 4]

1904
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. T. Wilson
Presbyterial Directory
Congregations and Clerks' Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Starr, Ky.
Sunday School Superintendents
Piney Fork, J. J. Alexander, Starr, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 5-7, 1904, pages 3 & 21-22]

1904
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: W. F. Wilson, Starr, Ky.
Minister Now In Charge: G. L. Woodruff
Total Number of Members: 145
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1904, page 100a]

1905
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - Jas. B. Bradley
Presbyterial Directory
Congregations and Clerks' Address
Piney Fork, W F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 4-6, 1905, pages 4 & 26]

1905
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister Now In Charge: G. L. Woodruff
Total Number of Members: 140
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1905, page 81a]

1905
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. T. Wilson
Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 3-5, 1905, page 4]

1906
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - W. F. Wilson
Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 3-5, 1906, page 3]

1906
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister Now In Charge: J. R. King
Total Number of Members: 100
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1906, page 72a]

1906
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - H. S. Wheeler
Congregations and Clerks' Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 9-11, 1906, pages 3 & 14]

1907
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - A. D. Crider
Congregations and Clerk's Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 9-11, 1907, pages 3 & 16]

1907
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Postoffice: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister Now In Charge: J. R. King
Total Number of Members: 113
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1907, page 34a]

1908
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - Willie Willson
Congregations and Clerk's Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 7-9, 1908, pages 4 & 17]

1908
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Postoffice: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky., R. 1.
Minister now in Charge: J. R. King
Total Number of Members: 121
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1908, page 41a]

1908
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - G. A. Wynn
Congregations and Clerks Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 6-8, 1908, pages 3 & 14]

1909
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - Wm. Wooldridge
Congregations and Clerk's Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 6-8, 1909, pages 3 & 12]

1909
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Postoffice: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister now in Charge: J. R. King
Total Number of Members: 114
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1909, page 55a]

1909
Princeton Presbytery met at Piney Fork, Kentucky
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - J. T. Wilson
Congregations and Clerk's Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 5-7, 1909, pages 4 & 15]

1910
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - Willie Wilson
Congregations and Clerk's Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 5-7, 1910, pages 3 & 17]

1910
Name of Church: Piney Fork
Clerk of the Session and Postoffice: W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
Minister now in Charge: C. T. Boucher
Total Number of Members: 100
Princeton Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1910, page 181]

1910
Elder Representative from Piney Fork - Will Crayne
Congregations and Clerks' Address
Piney Fork, W. F. Wilson, Marion, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of Princeton Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 4-6, 1910, pages 4 & 15]

To Be Continued